Barrel Sauna

The Barrel Sauna Kit: 5 Best Barrel Saunas Reviewed

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Best Barrel Sauna Kit

Igloo 40 Barrel Sauna

The BZB Cabins and Outdoors Igloo 40 Barrel Sauna Kit is the best barrel sauna. This igloo-shaped structure is a vibrant option that is constructed with fragrant Nordic spruce. It contains two spacious rooms inside, one for changing and one for heat. The Igloo 40 is heated by two different heating options: one an electric heater and one wood-fired heater.

These units are made in Europe, and are extremely high quality.

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

For more information on the Igloo 40, see the Product Reviews section below.


Runner Up: Best 4 Person Sauna Kit

Our runner-up pick is the RGX Hemlock Wooden Sauna Barrel. This option can seat four to six people and is designed to be heavy duty. It also comes with various features like sauna stones and an anti-explosive lamp.

They are quite nice, though they’re not European-made. The RGX is made in China. The price is kept quite low given the quality of the sauna, though!

RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and...
RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and...
Finland made Harvia Vega electric sauna heater, heater stones and the wiring kit

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

For more details on the RGX Sauna, see the Product Reviews section below.


Budget Choice: Outdoor Sauna Barrel Kit

If you’re looking for an affordable option, you can check out our budget pick, the Aleko White Pine Sauna Barrel. This indoor/outdoor structure is made with white pine planks and has built-in vents, sauna stones, and a touch screen control panel inside you can use to adjust various settings.

Last update on 2024-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

To learn more about the Aleko White Pine Sauna, see the Product Reviews section below.


Barrel Sauna Room Reviews

In this section, I’ll look closely at five of the top sauna barrel kits available on the market. With your own personal sauna, you won’t have to visit the gym, and deal with all of the sauna etiquette questions you have with public saunas.

I’ll start with a comparison table to get oriented, and then move into individual reviews. I’ll conclude with my top picks.

Preview
Heater
Runner Up
RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and...
Budget Pick
ALEKO White Pine Wood Indoor or Outdoor Wet and Dry Barrel Sauna with Upgraded Premium European 6 kW...
Top Choice!
BZBCabins.com Barrel Sauna Kit Igloo 40, 8 Person Outdoor Sauna with Harvia Heater
ALEKO SB4CEDAR Rustic Red Cedar Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 4.5 kW ETL...
Name
BZB Cabins W29
RGX
ALEKO
BZB Igloo 40
ALEKO SB4CEDAR
Size
4 Person
4-6 People
6 Person
8 People (2 Rooms)
4 People
Material
Nordic Spruce
Hemlock
White Pine
Nordic Spruce
Red Cedar
Heat Source
Harvia M3 Wood Burning or Electric
Harvia Vega Electric Sauna Heater
Toule Electric Sauna Heater
Harvia M3 Wood Burning or Harvia FLB60 Electric
Toule Electric Sauna Heater
Price on Amazon
Price not available
Price not available
Price not available
Price not available
Price not available
Preview
Heater
Name
BZB Cabins W29
Size
4 Person
Material
Nordic Spruce
Heat Source
Harvia M3 Wood Burning or Electric
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon
Runner Up
Preview
RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and...
Name
RGX
Size
4-6 People
Material
Hemlock
Heat Source
Harvia Vega Electric Sauna Heater
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon
Budget Pick
Preview
ALEKO White Pine Wood Indoor or Outdoor Wet and Dry Barrel Sauna with Upgraded Premium European 6 kW...
Name
ALEKO
Size
6 Person
Material
White Pine
Heat Source
Toule Electric Sauna Heater
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon
Top Choice!
Preview
BZBCabins.com Barrel Sauna Kit Igloo 40, 8 Person Outdoor Sauna with Harvia Heater
Name
BZB Igloo 40
Size
8 People (2 Rooms)
Material
Nordic Spruce
Heat Source
Harvia M3 Wood Burning or Harvia FLB60 Electric
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon
Preview
ALEKO SB4CEDAR Rustic Red Cedar Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 4.5 kW ETL...
Name
ALEKO SB4CEDAR
Size
4 People
Material
Red Cedar
Heat Source
Toule Electric Sauna Heater
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Barrel Sauna Kit BZBCabins.com W29, 4 Person Outdoor Sauna With Harvia M3 Wood Burning Heater

Barrel Sauna Kit BZBCabins.com W29, 4 Person Outdoor Sauna With Harvia M3 Wood Burning Heater

Key Points at a Glance

  • It can seat four people.
  • It features Harvia M3 wood burning or electric heater.
  • It has a step and two benches outside.
  • The barrel is constructed out of Nordic spruce.
  • It’s designed with a cylindrical shape.
  • Includes a front porch for outdoor relaxation

Dimensions and Specs

Barrel Sauna Room BZBCabins.com W29 Dimensions
  • The interior measures 6’5” x 6’7”.
  • Wall Thickness: 1 5/8″
  • Weight: 1850 lbs
  • Porch Dimensions: 2’4″

The Details

BZBCabins.com W29, 4 Person Outdoor Sauna With Harvia M3 Wood Burning Heater

The BZB Cabins and Outdoors  W29 Barrel Sauna is designed with fragrant Nordic spruce and is constructed in a classic barrel cylindrical shape. This shape is meant to help keep the steam inside moving around to help with air circulation. The W29 Barrel Sauna can seat up to four people, so it’s reasonably sizable. It comes with three support cradles and three steel bonds you can use to secure it to the ground.

To heat the barrel up, you can use either the Harvia M3 wood burning stove or the included electric heater inside. If you prefer to not assemble it yourself, you can have it assembled for you although this comes at an extra price.

The Bottom Line

While very expensive, the W29 barrel sauna kit is designed to be durable and helps you relax. It comes with plenty of helpful features, and the Harvia M3 wood-burning heater is top-notch. The W29 sauna barrel kit is on the pricey side but is a very high-quality sauna barrel kit. These are the best sauna barrels available.

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and Sauna Stove

RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and Sauna Stove

Key Points at a Glance

  • It’s made with hemlock planks.
  • It can seat 4-6 people.
  • It uses a Harvia Electric Heater and Sauna Stove.
  • It comes with sauna stones, a sauna bucket, anti-explosive lamp, and thermometer.
  • Chinese-made barrel sauna
  • Includes front porch for outdoor relaxation and cool-off

Dimensions and Specs

  • It measures 70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 inches.
  • It weighs 694 lbs.
  • Wall Thickness: 1 3/8″

The Details

This barrel sauna kit by RGX features thick Canadian hemlock planks that measure 1 ⅜ inch thick. It also comes with two 70-inch support cradles to help keep it secure to the ground.

RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and Sauna Stove

The interior of the RGX barrel sauna can seat four to six people and includes a Harvia Vega Electric Heater and Sauna Stove that works quickly to heat the structure up. Keep in mind that this is a 220v plug, so you’ll need a special electric socket to plug in this heater. This will likely mean a visit from your local electrician.

The RGX also comes with a sauna bucket, anti-explosive lamp, and thermometer you can use inside it.

RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and Sauna Stove

On the exterior of these saunas is a door with tempered glass. You’ll also find a relaxing front porch, with two benches built into the sides which you can sit on after your sauna session. Be sure you regularly clean your sauna to keep it in tip-top shape.

The RGX is a Chinese-made sauna barrel kit, unlike many of the other items on this list. That doesn’t make this kit bad, but it does make it perhaps inauthentic? I don’t know! The heating system is a Finnish Harvia Vega kit, which is good.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a simple yet durable option to invest in, this choice is perfect. It not only can sit a handful of people at once, but it comes with many different features, such as a thermometer and sauna stones, you can use. It’s also priced quite reasonably and is the runner-up choice among sauna barrel kits.

However, keep in mind that the assembly might be a little tricky and take a bit of time, and shipping is a significant extra cost.

RGX 4-6 Persons Traditional Hemlock Wooden Barrel Sauna Made with Harvia Sauna Electrical Heater and...
  • 4 person indoor outdoor wet-dry sauna. Traditonal...
  • Made of Canadian Western Hemlock1-3/8″ thick;...
  • Includes: 4.5KW Havia sauna heater, 1 box of sauna...
  • Two 70" support cradles to elevate the structure...
  • Finland made Harvia Vega electric sauna heater,...

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


ALEKO SB6PINE White Pine Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 6 kW ETL Certified Heater 6 Person

ALEKO SB6PINE White Pine Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 6 kW ETL Certified Heater 6 Person 83 x 72 x 75 Inches

Key Points at a Glance

  • This product is made with white pine.
  • It’s an indoor and outdoor option.
  • It can sit up to six people.
  • It comes with a Toule electric sauna heater, sauna stones, and touch screen control panel.
  • Aleko is an American brand

Dimensions and Specs

  • It measures 83 x 72 x 75 inches.
  • It weighs 660 lbs.

The Details

The Aleko White Pine Sauna Barrel is designed with beautiful white pine planks, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

This six person sauna room heats up quickly thanks to its compact Toule electric sauna heater inside. This heater seems to be made by Aleko or is at least chiefly sold by Aleko. Like the other electric-heated units on this list, the Toule heater is 220v. You’ll need a professional electrician to install a 220v plug for you to use this sauna.

ALEKO SB6PINE White Pine Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 6 kW ETL Certified Heater 6 Person 83 x 72 x 75 Inches

If you want to adjust the temperature (it can go up to 195-degrees Fahrenheit, FAR higher than an infrared sauna) you can do so easily thanks to the touch screen control panel on the front. Sauna Stones are included in the package, which will provide that wonderful sauna steam action!

ALEKO SB6PINE White Pine Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room 6 kW ETL Certified Heater 6 Person 83 x 72 x 75 Inches

The Aleko White Pine Sauna Barrel has a tempered glass door and plenty of built-in vents to help with air circulation.  Unfortunately, it does not include a porch or outdoor seating space.

The Bottom Line

The Aleko White Pine barrel sauna is an affordable option, ideal for those who want something versatile. It is our budget choice among barrel saunas.

While it doesn’t feature a Scandinavian brand heater, and its an American sauna brand, the Aleko sauna kit works well. It can heat up quickly and it’s designed to last you for a long time. In addition to this, it features a beautiful design thanks to its white pine and tempered glass exterior.

Keep in mind that shipping is a significant extra cost here, and you’ll also need to pay an electrician for a plug.

Last update on 2024-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


BZBCabins.com Barrel Sauna Room Igloo 40

BZBCabins.com Barrel Sauna Kit Igloo 40

Key Points at a Glance

  • It features an igloo design.
  • It can seat up to eight people.
  • It’s constructed out of Nordic spruce.
  • There are two rooms inside.
  • Comes with either a Harvia M3 Wood Buring Stove or a Harvia FLB60 Electric Heater

Dimensions and Specs

BZBCabins.com Igloo 40
  • The interior measures 3’10” x 7’2” x 6’10”.
  • It weighs 2,500 lbs.

The Details

BZBCabins.com Igloo 40 Sauna Barrel

The BZB Cabins and Outdoors Igloo 40 Barrel Sauna Kit has it all! This incredible sauna kit features a unique igloo design that has a vibrant red exterior that’s covered with a black roof. The overall impression feels extremely Nordic, and it is a European-made Sauna Barrel Kit.

Good start!

Constructed out of Nordic spruce, this well-insulated sauna has not one but two rooms built in its interior! The first chamber is a changing room and behind it the firey-hot sauna room.

To heat the sauna up, you have two choices: a classic Harvia M3 Wood Burning Sauna Heater, or a Harvia FLB60 Electric Sauna Heater with Stones included (note: the FLB60 is also known as the KIP-60). If you want a completely authentic sauna experience, go with the M3. If you want the convenience of an electric heater, choose the FLB60. You’ll need a 220v plug for the electric heater.

In terms of the interior build-out, the Igloo 40 is outstanding. The comfortable benches inside are situated near windows so you can look outside while relaxing in it, and you can gather inside with your friends. This model can seat up to eight people at once.

There’s no built-in porch seating, but there is a little landing area at the entrance to the sauna, where you might be able to squeeze a couple of small chairs, should you desire to add outdoor seating.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a unique barrel sauna kit to add to your yard, definitely consider the BZB Igloo 40. This product not only has a beautiful igloo design but plenty of useful features, like two interior rooms and various heaters types. It’s also well-insulated so there’s no need to worry about it becoming stuffy or too hot when sitting in it.

Shipping is free for this one, which is a big help!

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


ALEKO SB4CEDAR Rustic Red Cedar Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room

ALEKO SB4CEDAR Rustic Red Cedar Indoor Outdoor Wet Dry Barrel Sauna and Steam Room

Key Points at a Glance

  • It’s made with red cedar planks.
  • It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
  • It can seat up to four people.
  • It comes with a Toule electric sauna stove.
  • There is a touch screen panel you can use to adjust the temperature.
  • It features a tempered glass door.

Dimensions and Specs

  • It measures 83 x 72 x 75 inches.
  • It weighs 600 lbs.

The Details

The Aleko Red Cedar Barrel Sauna is an indoor/outdoor option made with stunning red cedar planks. It is attractive and elegant, with a minimalist design and beautiful materials.

This sauna can seat up to four people and has a Toule electric heater inside you can use to heat the structure up quickly. As I mentioned above, Aleko is an American company, and Toule is (I believe) their house brand Sauna Heater. The Toule is a 220v unit and will need a special electric socket to work. This means a visit from your electrician.

When you want to adjust the temperature of the room, you can use the touch screen control panel to do so. To help prevent the sauna from getting too hot, there are vent holes in the roof.

The Red Cedar Sauna kit is pretty simple in its design and doesn’t include any front porch or outdoor seating area.

If you prefer to not assemble this product yourself, you can pay to have an expert do so for you.

The Bottom Line

The Aleko Red Cedar Barrel Sauna Room is a compact option, ideal for those who want some simple to install in their yard. The red cedar is modern and beautiful in natural surroundings and is very durable. This product also comes with plenty of helpful features, like a touch screen control panel and expert assembly options.

Keep in mind that shipping is a significant extra cost with this sauna kit.

Last update on 2024-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Barrel Sauna Kits: Buyer’s Tips

barrel sauna kit

For many, a sauna is a place where one can unwind and detox their body. Of course, you can go to the spa and spend $100 per session in a sauna, but there are other ways to enjoy the wonderful experience of a sauna! There are many home sauna designs available on the market, from freestanding infrared saunas to portable infrared saunas to portable steam saunas. All of these are nice, and helpful, but they don’t actually provide the same source of heat that a real sauna does.

Traditional saunas provide both dry heat and a way to produce steam. Usually these heaters are wood-fired, though sometimes they are electric heaters with stones on top. Water can be poured on the stones in order to produce steam.

The combination of dry heat and steam is what produces the heat of a traditional sauna.

And you can get this type of heating system at home with a barrel sauna kit!

What is a Barrel Sauna Kit?

A barrel sauna kit is a unique product that features a sauna inside a gigantic barrel. These kits are DIY options, so once you buy one, you have to put it together yourself, although the pieces are pre-cut and measured for you.

Barrel saunas come in various designs and can be customized so you can invest in one that matches your preferences. These simple products are usually meant to be placed outdoors as a way to be a peaceful retreat in nature.

These kits include a heater, either a wood-fired heater or an electric heater.

Before you shop for saunas, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.

Type of Heat Source

Perhaps the most important source of difference between saunas is the type of heat source provided. Among the saunas I am going to look at today, the sauna heaters are either Finnish Harvia heaters of various types or American-sourced Toule electric heaters.

Wood-Fired Stoves

Wood-fired stoves are the original sauna heating method and work essentially the same as a traditional wood stove in a house. You heat the sauna with standard cordwood, which produces a very hot, dry heat. Stones are usually placed on top of the heater, and water can be poured on these stones to produce steam.

Wood-fired stoves are the most authentic choice, but keep in mind you’ll need to keep wood on hand and ensure that it’s properly seasoned and all that.

If your sauna is in a place on your property that would be difficult to run power lines to, you’ll probably want to stick with a wood-fired stove.

Electric Sauna Stoves

Electric sauna stoves work in a similar fashion to wood-fired stoves but are plug-in models. These stoves are 220v units and need a special plug (like a dryer plug), so you will likely need an electrician to provide you with an outlet.

If your sauna won’t be positioned too far from your house, it may not be difficult to run the wiring to the sauna. If you’ve got the wiring sorted out, you won’t have to worry about purchasing, lugging, and storing wood to fire the sauna.

Electric sauna heaters don’t require a constant source of wood, which is nice, and they provide pretty similar quality of heat to wood. Included in these heaters are stones on the top. You can pour water over these stones to produce steam, just as you can with a wood-fired sauna. Add some sauna essential oils, and you’ll be in heaven!

The Price

Barrel saunas range in their prices. Some can be very expensive while others can be budget-friendly. Due to these various price ranges, it’s important to set a budget or think about the top features you want in a barrel sauna.

Expensive options might not have a lot of features inside but are roomier, provide a porch, etc. On the other hand, affordable options might have more features but are a bit more compact.

Shipping

Also note that some of the listings provide free shipping, while for others, shipping is extra. Often shipping can run into the many hundreds of dollars, so pay attention!

Barrel Sauna DIY Assembly

All of the sauna barrels in this review article are kits and include everything you need to get your sauna assembled and fired up. Typically it takes two people about 1 pretty fully weekend to assemble a barrel sauna, and the process is reasonably challenging.

These saunas may be Scandinavian, but they’re not Ikea!

You typically don’t need any specialized tools other than the usual power drill and hammer. But if you’re not confident in your construction capabilities, you may want to hire help, or have Amazon assemble the sauna kit on site.

If There Are Pre-Assembly Options

If you don’t want to spend time assembling a barrel sauna kit yourself, it’s a good idea to see if you can hire an expert to help with it. While it will cost extra, these experts will be able to accurately put your kit together within a few hours.


Conclusion: Barrel Sauna For Sale

Barrel saunas make a nice addition to any yard (or even basement!). Not only are they affordable, but they can be customized to fit your needs perfectly.

Our best barrel sauna for sale, BZB Cabins and Outdoors Igloo 40 Barrel Sauna Kit, features a unique igloo design and has plenty of space inside so you can fit a large number of people in it.

Our runner-up pick, RGX Hemlock Wooden Sauna Barrel, is constructed out of strong hemlock planks and comes with plenty of great features, like sauna stones and an electric heater.

For those who want to invest in a barrel sauna kit, but at a reasonable price, you can consider the Aleko White Pine Sauna Barrel which features built-in vents and works quickly to heat up.

While it might be hard to make a choice, you can be sure that no matter which option you choose it will provide you with a place to relax and plenty of other benefits.

Last update on 2024-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API